Summer crops hit Boulder County farmers markets

Longmont farm: More crops mean more competition from vendors

By Whitney BryenLongmont Times-Call

Posted:
07/05/2013 05:09:43 PM MDT

Updated:
07/05/2013 06:05:10 PM MDT

Ollin Farms owner Mark Guttridge harvests broccoli at his farm south of Longmont last week. Guttridge said broccoli is one of the summer crops just starting to hit the farmers markets. (Lewis Geyer/Times-Call )

LONGMONT -- The official start of summer may be June 21 but not everyone kicks off the season at the same time.

For students it is the last day of school. For families, vacations mean summer is here. And for farmers green beans and broccoli are a sign of the season.

"July is usually when we start to see the first of those summer crops," said Mark Guttridge, owner of Ollin Farms. "We will have the first of our summer crops available this week like zucchini, squash, broccoli, green beans and peppers."

This weekend will start the peak season for the Longmont Farmers' Market, Guttridge said, with expanded produce offerings attracting large crowds and more vendors.

Broccoli, such as this head from Ollin Farms, is one of the summer crops starting to show up at the farmers markets in Longmont and Boulder.
(Lewis Geyer/Times-Call)

A mix of spring vegetables, including greens, radishes and beets, and summer crops, such as zucchini, squash and eggplant, will be available this week -- the perfect ingredients for a delicious vegetable medley to accompany summer food, he said.

"July is grilling season," Guttridge said. "We like to tell people to toss them on the grill with some olive oil and seasoning while you grill your burgers."

The variety and quality of produce increase in July and August, he said, especially during years when a spring freeze affects early crops.

"There were not a lot of early peaches and hardly any cherries at the market this spring because of the frost we got," Guttridge said. "We should start to see more peaches at the market in the next couple of weeks."

Boulder resident Deborah Ellis said she visits the Longmont market every Saturday for fresh produce but summer crops are her favorite.

Squash, zucchini and tomatoes are coveted items that bring Ellis to the market early to beat the crowds.

"I always go and just get whatever is available, but those are the ones I look forward to," she said.

Ollin Farms, just south of Longmont, is seeing the first signs of carrots, peppers and corn but it will be a couple more weeks before they reach their peak quality.

As the availability of produce increases, Guttridge said, so does his competition from vendors.

"May and June are often our busiest months because the bigger farmers aren't always there," he said. "There's not as much competition then."

Ollin Farms owner Mark Guttridge harvests broccoli at his farm at 8627 N. 95th St. last Wednesday. Guttridge was preparing to take his produce to the mid-week Farmers Market in Boulder.
(Lewis Geyer/Times-Call)

Tomatoes, cantaloupe, cauliflower, honeydew, herbs, raspberries and onions will likely be available later this month or in early August, according to the crop list on boulderfarmers.org.

Guttridge recommends shoppers visit the Boulder Farmers' Market on Wednesday during peak season to get fresh produce and ensure the highest quality.

"Increase your trips to optimize freshness and flavor and quality," he said. "You'll want to eat it quickly, within a couple of days, to really get the flavor."